A.J. Brown's Updated NFL Trade Landing Spots After Broncos' Jaylen Waddle Deal

The expected cost to acquire wide receiver A.J. Brown is likely to climb once again thanks to business elsewhere.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Denver Broncos are acquiring Jaylen Waddle and the No. 111 overall pick from the Miami Dolphins for a 2026 first-round selection (No 30) in addition to the No. 94 and 130 picks.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported on March 4 the Eagles might part with Brown if they get back first- and second-rounders, drawing a comparison to the Quinnen Williams trade.

In light of Tuesday's news, Philly's might set its sights even higher. If that's the case, then his list of realistic suitors is getting smaller.

New England Patriots

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday the New England Patriots "are still in it" when it comes to a Brown trade.

The NFL insider acknowledged a firm deal between anybody and Philadelphia could be a ways off. The Eagles are incentivized to wait until June 1 because they could spread the dead cap money across 2026 and 2027.

Right now, the Patriots appear to be at the front of the field if the three-time Pro Bowler is moved.

Romeo Doubs isn't a suitable solution to the team's need for a true No. 1 receiver, and Kayshon Boutte hasn't shown anything to warrant that kind of status, either. The Pats still have a lot of flexibility in terms of accommodating Brown's contract as well.

Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Ian Walton

According to Rapoport, the Los Angeles Rams have removed themselves from the sweepstakes. Should this saga drag into June, however, the Rams' mindset could evolve.

That's a lot of time for general manager Les Snead, who has never seen a draft pick he wasn't willing to trade, to reconsider the pursuit.

Granted, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio pointed out a complicating factor.

Florio reported Los Angeles looked into trading Davante Adams, whose departure would've created a cleaner fit for Brown, both financially and within the offense. With Adams' $6 million roster bonus going into effect, the blockbuster trade is harder to execute.

Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Bart Young

The Kansas City Chiefs are in a bit of a transitional phase.

Franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL. Star cornerback Trent McDuffie got traded to the Rams and quickly reunited with fellow corner Jaylen Watson. Safety Bryan Cook, linebacker Leo Chenal and defensive end Charles Omenihu are all gone from the defense as well.

Despite all of that, the Chiefs have shown they're aiming to contend to some degree in 2026.

Tight end Travis Kelce presumably isn't signing on for a rebuild. Kenneth Walker III is a major addition to the backfield. And a reported trade for Justin Fields gives Kansas City a reasonably good starter if Mahomes is unavailable in Week 1.

The Chiefs are only $9.7 million under the salary cap, so GM Brett Veach would have to find some more savings to bring Brown to Kansas City.

When the draft hasn't yielded a worthy successor to Tyreek Hill, the front office may prefer to go for a sure thing.